MISCHIEF MANAGED, inspired by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling.

Fans of the Witches and Wizards of Hogwarts know that just when we think they’ve got everything figured out, another problem arises and our heroes are off on another adventure. In the third movie,Prisoner of Azkaban, they used the Marauder’s Map to find people in the castle classrooms and dorms. Now you can help them get their Mischief Managed! These stranded (like Fair Isle, but producing a picture so requiring a complete chart) socks are knit toe up two at a time on circulars, but you may use dpns and do one at a time if you prefer, as the front charts for the two socks differ, and two at a time requires 4 yarns and you might find yourself in a Devil’s Snare. If that’s the case, just relax and use the spell, “Lumos Solem.” Try not to wriggle or get upset, or the Devil’s Snare will just squeeze tighter.

You can knit cuff down if your tea leaves tell you that’s how you should proceed. Don’t forget to flip your charts!

The designer and the testers:

Molly Weasley, who finished 3 socks in a week while working two jobs.

Augusta Longbottom, who is currently working on her second sock. Edit: Augusta has completed her pair and sent them off to Neville.

Luna Lovegood, who finished her pair but true to her character chose blue and green mix for the background, which was darker than the pink and purple mix chosen for the writing and footprints… making the words somewhat difficult to read. PLEASE choose a very light solid (for the background) and a very dark solid (for the writing and the shoeprints). I suggest tan and dark brown, to mimic the Marauder’s Map. None of this pink and purple codswallop!

Bellatrix LeStrange, who got halfway up a sock and realized she was putting words on the top and bottom of the sock instead of a word on the top (front) and shoeprints on the bottom, is deciding whether to move forward or begin again. Edit: Bellatrix is going to continue, and make the second sock with the shoeprints on the bottom. They are going to fit her teenaged son, and he said he doesn’t care that they won’t match the pattern, but does want the shoeprints on the second sock, and does want her to hurry and finish them so he can wear them to school before the end of the term. Nice to know our gifted hand-knits are cherished and worn! 2nd Edit: Bellatrix is almost done with her 2nd sock.)

Each has knitted her socks one at a time toe up, using only her hands and wands of size 1, 2.25 mm. CARRY YOUR FLOATS LOOSELY IN THE BACK SO THAT YOU DON’T SHRINK THE WIDTH OF YOUR SOCKS! IF YOU ARE A TIGHT KNITTER, OR NEW TO STRANDED KNITTING, PLEASE CONSIDER USING WANDS OF US SIZE 1.5 (2.5 MM) OR EVEN US SIZE 2 (2.75 MM). YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE SOCKS THAT ARE SO SMALL THEY FIT ONLY DOBBY! No magic spells were used and no Nargles were injured in the making of these socks, but truth be told, some magic potions may have been imbibed, mostly by Bellatrix, but Molly is not the innocent she pretends to be.

MATERIALS
100 gms fingering weight washable sock wool in a light color. I used KnitPicks Stroll Sock in color “Cork.” I have at least 15 gms left after making the Men’s (90 sts) size.

50 gms fingering weight washable sock wool in a dark color. I used KnitPicks Stroll Sock in color “Fedora.” I have at least 15 gms, maybe 20, after making the Men’s (90 sts) size.

One set of 4-5 dpns, US size 1 OR 2.25mm, or one long (40” or more) circular or 2 shorter (16” or more) circulars, 2.25mm, for magic loop.

Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.

Scissors

Optional: a cardboard foot, make as directed in the directions for the Fish Lips Kiss Heel (sold on ravelry for $1, by Patty White, SoxTherapist.) Even if you’re not going to do the FLK, this cardboard foot is mighty handy (footy?) for producing socks that are the correct size.

SIZES
Teens/Women’s Small (size 5-6)(70 sts), Women’s Med (size 7-10) (80 sts), Women’s Large/Teen Boys/Men’s (women’s 11+ or Mens 9+)(90 sts)

GAUGE
About 10 sts per inch.
70 sts is about 7 inches around, stretches to 8.5 inches and fits women’s size 5-6 or very narrow foot
80 sts is about 8 inches around, stretches to 9.5 – 10.0 inches and fit’s women’s 7-10
90 sts is about 9.24 inches around, stretches to 11.0 – 12 inches and fits women’s 11+, or men’s 9+

If you need a bigger (wider) sock, add one column (or more as desired) of shoe prints (5 sts wide) to the side of the Mischief/Managed chart (front) and side of the Shoeprints chart (back) of the sock.
©April, 2017, Debra Ann Ashkar, KnitCrochetLove.com, all rights reserved. For Personal use only. Please do not copy any part of this pattern to sell or to share